long's trip

Long's Drugstore is a California institution.  I actually missed it when I was in Chicago despite that - I kid you not - I could walk to five drug stores where I lived without even breaking a sweat.

But Long's is different.  They literally sell a little bit of everything.  I remember going there for this rose scented soap that I loved along with this salad dressing that I used specifically as a marinade.  B would usually buy flat fortune cookies, and stock up on cheap blank tapes or CD's.  It wasn't uncommon to go in there and spend an hour.

Today was my first trip back in over two years.  The parking lot was mobbed.  Of course, a tow truck arrived just as I was entering the store, so I suspect not everyone is playing by the rules.

There was an old woman backing out of her space that was so petite, you couldn't see her head over the seat-back.  I saw the reverse lights, but couldn't see a driver!  Thankfully she didn't back into me, but I couldn't get the song, Little Old Lady from Pasadena, out of my head for a while.

I wish I had more exciting news to report.  They no longer sell my rose soap.  Nor did they have B's fortune cookies. It was actually a rather disappointing trip.

I think what really did it was that I went down the household cleaner aisle - just to browse - you know, see if there are any new and amazing cleaning products.  I was also curious if I would be able to find Fizz Its.  They actually had a space on the shelf for them, but it was empty.  And the sticker said, "last chance".  I fear this means they have indeed discontinued the product all together.  Really it is a bummer, as they worked great.  They were like Alkaseltzer for your toilet bowl.

Maybe I will check out another location.  There are usually a couple in each city.